For a mother, fasting while breastfeeding sometimes poses a dilemma. Although there are various concerns, various studies have revealed that breastfeeding mothers can still fast without fear of harming the baby because of reduced milk.
Reporting from the Baby Center, fasting while breastfeeding may cause changes in vitamin and nutrient levels in breast milk. However, it will not be significant as long as the mother has sufficient nutritional reserves in her body.
Here are some tips so that breastfeeding mothers can still fast smoothly, summarized from the Baby Centre. Listen, come on!
Monitor Food Intake
Breast milk is produced by the body using the fluids and nutrients in the mother's body, both during iftar and suhoor. Therefore, it is very important to maintain the nutrition of the food consumed. This is especially true if the baby is still exclusively breastfed and has not been able to receive solid food.
Make sure your body stays hydrated
Normally, the human body requires intake of at least 8 glasses of water in a day. For pregnant women, try to drink in larger quantities but don't overdo it. In addition to feeling thirsty and tired quickly, be alert if your urine starts to yellow and smells bad. This is a sign that the body is dehydrated. If you experience certain complaints, you should immediately cancel your fast and start consuming water or isotonic fluids.
Enough rest
Tips for Fasting while Breastfeeding/Photo: Pexels.com/RODNAE Productions
Tips for Fasting while Breastfeeding/Photo: Pexels.com/RODNAE Productions
Because of the many nutrients the body absorbs for milk production, nursing mothers may feel tired quickly. Therefore, don't waste energy on things that are less important and make sure your body gets enough rest.
Manage Housework
A mother is generally faced with various kinds of work, ranging from taking care of children, husbands, to various household tasks. If you are breastfeeding, you have to be good at managing it so it doesn't waste energy.
Do heavy tasks like shopping, cleaning the house, etc. when it's not fasting time. When you are fasting, you can use your energy to only do things that are important.
Controlling Baby's Health
Apart from ensuring that the mother is in good health, the baby's health must also be monitored. If the baby shows signs of insufficient breast milk, it is best to break the fast immediately (unless the baby can already eat complementary foods other than breast milk).
Some things that can be observed are reduced urination intensity, changes in stool color, decreased baby weight, and various other health problems. If the baby shows changes when the mother fasts, you should consult a doctor.
Listen to the Body
In general, fasting while breastfeeding may have a number of effects on the body. Mothers will be more easily dehydrated because of the many nutrients the body absorbs for milk production. Therefore, do not force yourself if you feel signs of not being able to continue fasting.
So, here are some tips that you can do to keep fasting while breastfeeding. In conclusion, it all depends on the condition of the mother's body. Before deciding whether to fast or not during this Ramadan, don't forget to consult a doctor or health professional.